Putter assemblies, putter modification kits, and putting methods

ABSTRACT

Putter assemblies are provided that can include a putter head coupled to a backstroke guide, with the backstroke guide consisting of polymeric material. Putter modification kits are also provided that can include a backstroke guide configured to couple with a portion of a putter head. Methods for putting a ball are included as well that can include viewing a first location of a putting surface through a backstroke guide of a putter. Methods can include aligning the first location with a portion of the putter as well as moving the putter through the backstroke while viewing the first location of the putting surface through backstroke guide.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of golf and more particularly to the art of putting.

BACKGROUND

Putting during golf, miniature or otherwise, has long been a trying ordeal for even the most experienced player. Players continually struggle to align a putter correctly and keep this alignment during the backswing and return to putt the ball. The present disclosure provides putting assemblies, putter modification kits and putting methods that according to example implementations can increase putting accuracy and proficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Putter assemblies are provided that can include a putter head coupled to a backstroke guide, with the backstroke guide consisting of polymeric material.

Putter modification kits are also provided that can include a backstroke guide configured to couple with a portion of a putter head.

Methods for putting a ball are included as well that can include viewing a first location of a putting surface through a backstroke guide of a putter. Methods can include aligning the first location with a portion of the putter as well as moving the putter through the backstroke while viewing the first location of the putting surface through backstroke guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a putter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is the putter assembly of FIG. 1 in use according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are the putter assembly of FIG. 1 in different stages of use according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a putter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another view of the putter assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a putter assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is another view of the putter assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is another view of the putter assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a putter assembly of according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is another view of the putter assembly of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

Putter assemblies and methods for putting as well as kits are provided with reference to FIGS. 1-9. Referring to FIG. 1, a putter assembly 10 is shown that includes a putter head 12 coupled to a backstroke guide 14. Head 12 can have a posterior edge 16 as well as an anterior edge 18. Head 12 can also include a mark 17. Mark 17 is can be a part of traditional putter and can designate a center line of the putter or a portion of the putter that is most desirable to ball alignment such as a “sweetspot.” Likewise, the head can have a heel and/or toe 20. The backstroke guide 14 can have a first end 22 proximate the putter, and a second end 24 opposite first end 22. Backstroke guide 14 can also include a target mark 26. According to exemplary embodiments, head 12 can be any putter purchased for use as golf equipment.

Backstroke guide 14 can be manufactured of a polymeric material and can be configured to extend from posterior edge 16 of head 12. Example polymeric materials include but are not limited to carbonates, acrylics, and/or urethanes. Polystyrenes, polyvinyls, and/or polycarbonates are examples of material that may be used to form backstroke guides 14. According to another embodiment, the polymeric material of backstroke guide 14 can extend laterally from the heel or toe 20 of head 12. Backstroke guide 14 can be at least partially transparent and/or at least partially translucent. According to an exemplary embodiment, the entirety of the backstroke guide 14 can be transparent and/or translucent. Backstroke guide 14 can have a first end extending to a second end, and the distance between the first and second ends can be less than the distance between the heel and toe of head 12, for example. Guide 14 may also be constructed of materials other than polymeric materials such as metals and/or alloys. According to exemplary embodiments, guide 14 can have a target mark 26, and target mark 26 of guide 14 can be substantially aligned with mark 17 of head 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary method for aligning and putting the ball is shown by first referring to putter assembly 10 in useful alignment with user 21. Referring to FIGS. 2A through 2D, as shown in the view from user 21, putter assembly 10 can be aligned with a ball 23 along a center line of assembly 10. First location 28 of a putting surface can be aligned through guide 14. The putting surface can be any surface that supports a ball during putting. For example, the putting surface can be the green during traditional golf or it may be carpeting during indoor practice sessions. Referring to FIG. 2B, putter assembly 10 can be moved through the backstroke, while viewing location 28 through backstroke guide 14. Assembly 10 can be moved a distance sufficient to generate enough force to putt ball 23. Referring to FIG. 2C, assembly 10 can even be moved beyond location 28 if desired. In accordance with one embodiment, mark 17 can be moved over location 28. Referring to FIG. 2D, assembly 10 can be returned through ball 23 to putt ball 23 along this line. In accordance with this method, location 28 can be viewed through the second end of guide 14 and viewed the entirety of the time the guide is allowed to pass over that location.

In accordance with another embodiment, mark 26 can be off horizontal center as viewed from above and may be positioned in a direction closer to the heel of the putter head for example. As configured, mark 26 may be used to identify a portion of the putting surface that when the used draws the putter head back, the putter head is drawn back to the inside along semi-circle or slight arc rather than straight back as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment of assembly 10 is shown wherein assembly 10 includes a guide 14 that is entirely transparent placed against a putter head 12 having a substantially flat posterior surface 16. Referring to FIG. 4, guide 14 can include a support surface or coupling surface 40. Coupling surface 40 can substantially compliment the posterior portion 16 of the putter. According to exemplary embodiments, this coupling portion can be affixed to the putter utilizing glues and/or industrial adhesives, for example. Example adhesives include resins.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, another alternative embodiment is shown where guide 14 includes a coupling surface 54 and the posterior portion 16 includes coupling apparatus 52. As viewed from FIG. 7, coupling surface 54 can be configured as clips to adapt to extensions of apparatus 52 of posterior portion 16 of head 12. In this example configuration guide 14 can be configured to be removably coupled to head 12.

Referring to FIGS. 8-9, guide 14 can be at least partially transparent and at least partially opaque or solid. As an example, area 84 of assembly 10 can be left transparent, while the borders 82 of assembly 10 can remain blacked out, while the entirety of guide 14 is made of a polymeric material. Guide 14 can also include borders 82 that define an opening 84. Guide 14 can be constructed of lightweight materials and/or guide 14 may be configured to be removably coupled to head 12. As an example, guide 14 may be constructed of polymeric materials such as plastics, and/or metals such as aluminum.

According to an exemplary embodiment, putter modification kits are provided that include backstroke guide 14 configured to couple with a portion of a putter head, for example, the posterior portion. The backstroke guide can comprise a polymeric material as described above, and the guide can be at least partially transparent. The second end opposite the first end of the backstroke guide can be configured to couple with a putter head, with the opposite end including a backswing target. Included within the kit is a guide that includes a target that, when coupled to the putter, can substantially align with the center of the putter head. Where a putter head comprises a substantially flat posterior portion, the backstroke guide can be configured to comprise a first end configured to couple to the flat portion. The kit can further include an adhesive or coupling device configured to couple the backstroke guide to the putter head. As another example, the backstroke guide can be configured to be removably coupled to the putter head via clips, as depicted for example in FIGS. 5-7. In this manner, a user may, upon completion of putting a ball, remove the backstroke guide from the putter. According to example embodiments, the user may utilize guide 14 as a training device in one instance and then remove it to utilize the putter during an official round of golf.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A putter assembly comprising a putter head coupled to a backstroke guide, the backstroke guide consisting of polymeric material.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material extends from a posterior edge of the putter.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material extends laterally from the heel and/or toe of the putter.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the backstroke guide is at least partially transparent.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the backstroke guide is at least partially translucent.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the backstroke guide comprises a first end proximate the putter head and second end opposite the first end.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the distance between the first end and the second end is less the distance between the heel and toe of the putter head.
 8. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the second end includes a target mark.
 9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the target mark is substantially aligned with the center of the putter head.
 10. A putter modification kit comprising a backstroke guide configured to couple with a portion of a putter head.
 11. The kit of claim 10 wherein the backstroke guide comprises a polymeric material.
 12. The kit of claim 11 wherein the backstroke guide is at least partially transparent.
 13. The kit of claim 10 wherein the backstroke guide comprises a first end opposite a second end, the first end being configured to couple with the putter head, and the second end including a backswing target.
 14. The kit of claim 13 wherein when coupled with the putter head the target substantially aligns with the center of the putter head.
 15. The kit of claim 10 wherein the putter head comprises a substantially flat posterior portion and the backstroke guide comprises a first end configured to couple with the flat portion, the first end having an opposite second end.
 16. The kit of claim 10 further comprising an adhesive configured to couple the backstroke guide to the putter head.
 17. The kit of claim 10 wherein the backstroke guide is configured to be removably coupled to the putter head.
 18. A method for putting a ball comprising: viewing a first location of a putting surface through a backstroke guide of a putter; aligning the first location with a portion of the putter; moving the putter through the backstroke while viewing the first location of the putting surface through backstroke guide; and returning the putter to putt the ball.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the backstroke guide includes a first end opposite a second end, wherein the first end is proximate the putter, the method further comprising viewing the first location through the second end and following the first location as the guide passes over the first location to align a portion of the putter with the first location.
 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising, after returning the putter to putt the ball, removing the backstroke guide from the putter head.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein the backstroke guide is constructed of transparent polymeric material.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein the backstroke guide extends from posterior portion of the putter and comprises a frame defining an opening, the viewing occurring through the opening. 